TOYADE - Freedom, Friendship, Fun !!! (France - Punk-Rock - Interview with Yey).
- Hello - Can you introduce yourself and tell us how it all began for you - your introduction to this musical world, what attracted you, what fascinated you, and what made you want to make music?
Hello, we're TOYADE, a band from Sedan (Ardennes) : YEY guitar, GEGE bass, DJAY drums, and Olivier BOL (OB) vocals. YEY and DJAY have played together in several bands, most recently Nightingale. GEGE had several projects, including Leisure. Twenty years ago, three of them got together to play punk rock covers for fun. OB wrote most of Nightingale's lyrics. Music is a passion, punk rock for its freedom of expression, its raw energy in sound and on stage.
- Tell me about the band... How you met - the current lineup - past experiences - and above all - WHY did you need to form THIS band?
We're all longtime friends: since childhood and adolescence. In 2017, Nightingale broke up. During a festival, GEGE and YEY suggested to DJAY that they reform the punk rock covers project. At the end of 2019, Olivier Bol joined them on vocals. Covers are cool, but we needed to express ourselves, and the songs came naturally and flowed one after the other: the DIY creation of "Lure" was done quite quickly. The arrival of COVID slowed down its recording: it was finalized in summer 2021 and released in early 2022.
- Describe your sound and explain why I should listen to YOUR band at all costs?
Well, that's complicated... we usually let the concert organizers define us, and this time we had a bit of everything: punk, rock, hardcore...
Actually, the best way to make you want to listen is to challenge you to define us.
The band consists of a guitar, bass, and drums. We try to avoid having the guitar and bass play the same riff as much as possible. The drums are quite simple, which results in a fairly accessible music supported by powerful female vocals.
- Lyrical and musical inspirations/influences? How important are lyrics to you? Are there any specific messages or thoughts you try to develop and share through your lyrics?
Our inspirations are very varied; we listen to many different styles, from punk rock to reggae, hardcore, indie pop, ...
The vocals are in basic English: it sounds more rock, easier to write and rock! Vocal influences: from Mike Patton to Nina Hagen! We talk about general themes in reaction: consumer society, fascism, racism, masculinism, or personal themes that affect us, to be taken literally or silly, funny or not…
- About your latest album?
The last album was recorded in the garage where we rehearse, in May 2024 by Olive from Elektrick Box; he also mixed it. Still DIY, but this time with help from many labels. "Stuff" is available in two vinyl versions (red or splatter), a CD version, on Bandcamp, or at our concerts.
- What are your plans?
Releasing a third LP, but we need to find the time to rehearse to create because we're playing a lot at the moment...
Continuing to play as much as possible on stage: we love it and the response from the audience!
- Your wildest dream with the band would be?
To go on a mega tour with a band we love!
- Your BEST & WORST gig - as a band - and why?
No real worst gig, each one is different, and we try to get a reaction from the audience even if there are few people. We prefer a small audience that reacts and has fun rather than a large one that's indifferent. Connecting with people, meeting people, motivates us.
- Next stage appearance(s)?
October 25: Hotel de ville - BE Nimy
November 8: Maison de Village - BE Heure
November 21: Deep Inside - 21 Dijon
November 22: Place 2B - 71 Chalon-sur-Saône
and in 2026
January 24: Rocroi Rock Night - 08 Rocroi
February short tour with Watt ze Punk
- A few words about your local scene - any bands you're friends with that you'd like to name?
In the Ardennes, there are few places to play punk rock... Here are some local bands we like and have shared the stage with: Slipping Kangooroos, Police on TV, K SOS, Bedbugs Club, Punch Chaos.
- The final word is yours...
See you soon at one of our shows or book us a gig to experience TOYADE live!
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